Property Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Interest expense capitalized	$ 15,700	$ 35,400	$ 34,500	$ 58,700
Property, plant and equipment, net	10,969,348		10,969,348		$ 10,027,522
Other long-term liabilities	2,607,458		2,607,458		2,442,970
Depreciation and amortization expense	251,800	$ 176,600	497,000	$ 336,700
Capital leased assets	1,220,000		1,220,000		688,300
Accumulated depreciation on property and equipment under capital leases	161,600		161,600		100,600
Gigafactory [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Cost transferred to asset class			540,400
Costs related to construction activities	4,140,000		4,140,000		3,150,000
Gigafactory 2 [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Cost transferred to asset class			649,500
Build To Suit Arrangements [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,670,000		1,670,000		1,630,000
Accrued liabilities	91,300		91,300		14,900
Other long-term liabilities	1,650,000		1,650,000		1,670,000
Production Equipment [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 955,400		$ 955,400		$ 473,300